We watched Roman Holiday (1953) last night starring Gregory Peck and beautiful Audrey Hepburn in her first major Hollywood movie, and let me just say, I thought it was faaaaantastic! It's so funny and charming and Audrey, oh Audrey...she sure knows how to light up the screen. Her adorableness is off the charts! The whole film is intoxicating with a simple plot that is really well acted- it's subtle and engaging and feels so fresh. And with Rome as the backdrop, it's gorgeous to look at, even in black and white.
And the ending! It's somehow happy and a little heartbreaking at the same time. This movie makes modern day "romantic comedies" seem even more cliche and barfworthy- it just blows them out of the water. If you haven't seen it- do. And if you have seen it, what do you think of it? And which Audrey Hepburn movie should I watch next? (I've only seen Breakfast at Tiffany's other than this)
{images from google image search}
edited to add: ps- check out this Roman Holiday kitty print by Jaime Shelman! hah!
Funny Face! After Roman Holiday, it's my favorite movie of hers. Trust me, you'll love it.
Posted by: Katie | Jul 28, 2010 at 08:56 AM
This movie takes the cake for Audrey Hepburn movies for me. Favorite line: "You have my permission....to withdraw..." (while turning, with skirt falling off) I may just have to pop this is right now, just because it's that awesome.
I'd suggest Breakfast At Tiffany's next.
Posted by: Destiny | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:07 AM
Abso-freaking-lutely blows them out of the water. It's one of my all-time favorites.
Posted by: Lori | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:09 AM
Since you've already seen one of my all time favorite movies, Breakfast at Tiffany's, you HAVE to see Sabrina. :)
Have you seen the French film Amelie, starring another worthy Audrey (Audrey Tatou)? Beautiful movie. Top of the list for me.
Posted by: Melanie | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:13 AM
I have not seen this, but I need to! I've heard so many good things about this movie and I adore Audrey Hepburn!! And what to see next? MY FAIR LADY of course :)
Posted by: kristen | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:17 AM
oh I love this movie too!
I haven't seen them yet but I've heard that "Sabrina" and "green mansions"(the movie with that cute little fawn audrey had as pet afterwards) should be also very charming!
Posted by: christa | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:18 AM
"Roman Holiday" is romantic comedy perfection. I can watch it over and over, and I do!
"Two for the Road" should be your next choice! Such a good, heavy-hitting, marriage primer but not lacking in funny and sweet.
Posted by: Dawn Eva | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:21 AM
I LOVE this movie too! I own it :) I also adore the ending. And I especially like the scene when Gregory Peck sticks his arm in the liar's wall and pretends its got his hand. I've read somewhere that was not supposed to be part of the scene - that he did it just as a joke and her reaction was so great that they kept it in the film.
I'd suggest 'Sabrina' next. It stars lovely Audrey as well as Humphrey Bogart & William Holden. Its wonderful :)
Posted by: Lori | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:24 AM
Funny Face is cute, but I don't like it as much as Roman Holiday for some reason. Same for My Fair Lady...she's great in it, and i love musicals, but it just doesn't measure up to Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's for me.
I'd recommend Charade next! It's cute and funny and you can't go wrong with Audrey and Cary Grant:)
Posted by: Lisa | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:29 AM
Oh yeah, Amelie is one of my all time favorites too!
Posted by: Miss Modish | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:29 AM
oh I've seen photos of her with that deer- didn't know it was from a movie! Oh goodness, gotta find that one.
Posted by: Miss Modish | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:30 AM
I know! That scene was so awesome! Made us laugh a lot and yeah, I read it was an "ad-lib" or whatever too. So cool!
Posted by: Miss Modish | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:31 AM
I LOVE Audrey Hepburn movies. One Christmas I went a bit overboard and asked for them all... All sorts of people got me one, and I ended up with two or more of some of them. I had to donate the extras, but I still watch them all the time. What great family and friends I have to give me such stylish and fun movies to watch!
Posted by: The Frugal Style | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:43 AM
Sabrina should be your next movie. There are soo many though. Don't forget Charades (that's for later, as you progress though her body of work) and How to Steal a Million!
Posted by: Maha | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:46 AM
My Fair Lady!!! I love singing along! And be sure to check out the extras and hear Audrey sing.
Posted by: Erin | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:56 AM
Well, where to begin.
She is charming and adorable again in Sabrina. Although her and Bogie seems a bit far-fetched. And Charade is good just for it's pure silliness (Cary Grant at one of his top silly movie moments). But don't discount Wait Until Dark, it's a suspense film, very good, although I'm not a huge fan of her husband in the film. And The Children's Hour is good for a bit of drama and scandal! And it stars another cutie Shirley McLaine. I could go on and on with film suggestions! I love old films.
p.s. My Fair Lady is a pleasant musical (a bit long) and Audrey is obviously not the one singing, and Rex is just a scoundrel. Grrrr, I hate that last line, but the songs are great.
Posted by: Gretchen | Jul 28, 2010 at 10:15 AM
it's been far too long since i've seen roman holiday. i'm feeling a gregory peck marathon may be in order this weekend...
:)
xo Alison
Posted by: and flowers pick themselves | Jul 28, 2010 at 10:35 AM
i love roman holiday and breakfast at tiffany's! sabrina is another one of my fav audrey hepburn movies.
Posted by: the clothing menu | Jul 28, 2010 at 10:39 AM
i have been hoping to come across another movie that makes me feel the way i feel about roman holiday.. it's tough! sabrina was wonderful, and how to steal a million was really fun.
Posted by: laura | Jul 28, 2010 at 10:42 AM
I definitely vote for Funny Face!
Also, if you loved Amelie, check out the director's (Jean-Pierre Jeunet)latest masterpiece: Micmacs
It was brilliant!
Posted by: Grace | Jul 28, 2010 at 10:43 AM
I love Audrey Hepburn!! And also Gregory Peck! My other two favorites are My Fair Lady (I grew up watching musicals) and Sabrina! I also really like Charade, which also has the classic Cary Grant. Mmm, old movies are the best!
Posted by: Anjuli A | Jul 28, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Charade and Two For the Road. Both are favorites after Roman Holiday!
Posted by: Hannah | Jul 28, 2010 at 11:02 AM
There are so many wonderful ones, and the clothes, ah, the clothes, are wonderful, for different reasons, in each one!: Sabrina, Charade, Funny Face, Wait Until Dark, Two For the Road, How To Steal a Million, Love in the Afternoon. . . .
Posted by: Patty | Jul 28, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Charade is my favorite! How to Steal a Million is a great one too.
Posted by: sara | Jul 28, 2010 at 11:33 AM
SABRINA is my favorite!!! I love Audrey! May I also suggest the Audrey Hepburn Story? It's a made for tv bio of her life, unfortunately with Jennifer Love Hewitt, but it's interesting to learn about her life growing up during WW2, love affairs, etc. I read her bio book but I like to see it on screen too!
"Yes, we have no bananas.....we have no bananas today!" I love Bogey and William Holden in this movie. I told J I will bring it for you guys on Monday since I have a copy-if you want!
Posted by: AcanthusNichole | Jul 28, 2010 at 11:35 AM
You should see Shag: the Movie, circa 1989. It was my favorite girlfriend movie in high school. {I'm now *ahem* 30, and haven't seen in since then. Wonder if I will still like it...} Anyway, imagine Phoebe Kates and Bridget Fonda, great dancing, and 1960's dresses. Let me know if you watch it. XO
TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhhnum5rzZE&feature=related
Posted by: Jessica | Jul 28, 2010 at 11:41 AM
You should see Shag: the Movie, circa 1989. It was my favorite girlfriend movie in high school. {I'm now *ahem* 30, and haven't seen in since then. Wonder if I will still like it...} Anyway, imagine Phoebe Kates and Bridget Fonda, great dancing, and 1960's dresses. Let me know if you watch it. XO
TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhhnum5rzZE&feature=related
Posted by: Jessica | Jul 28, 2010 at 11:41 AM
I probably shouldn't admit this during an Audrey Hepburn love-fest, but I really didn't like or understand Breakfast at Tiffany's. I think her style in that movie is beautiful, and I loved bits and pieces of the movie (Moon River, saving Cat at the end), but altogether I just didn't get it.
However, like you, I adored Roman Holiday. And my favourite of all time, which I highly recommend, is My Fair Lady. The costuming is mind blowing, I find myself humming the songs while I clean the house, and Audrey is as cute as a button.
Posted by: Chantel I. | Jul 28, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Oh how I love Roman Holiday! It is one of my favorite films ever! Definitely watch Sabrina next...it's so amazing! The remake in the 90s (with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond) was pretty good, but not nearly as good as the original with Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden... enjoy...
Posted by: Kristen- Marinade Handmade | Jul 28, 2010 at 11:55 AM
I also say see Funny Face!! The opening sequence alone is worth it! Think Pink!!
Posted by: Lourdes | Jul 28, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Sabrina...and it's remake...I liked them both...
xo
Andrea
Posted by: CrowNology | Jul 28, 2010 at 12:29 PM
I just re-watched this last week! See Sabrina and Funny face next.
Posted by: Livy K | Jul 28, 2010 at 12:34 PM
Charade is a great one!
Posted by: katie.conway11@gmail.com | Jul 28, 2010 at 01:57 PM
I'm not a big fan of musicals, so my vote is Charade. It's genius.
Posted by: Janelle | Jul 28, 2010 at 02:00 PM
Funny Face is super lovely to watch! Wonderful colours and outfits!
x
Posted by: Kate | Jul 28, 2010 at 04:13 PM
I love Roman Holiday, but my favorite Audrey Hepburn movie is definitely Funny Face. And then Charade. And then How to Steal a Million. And Breakfast at Tiffany's.... hahaha. Truth be told, I've never seen an Audrey Hepburn movie I haven't liked.
Posted by: Mallory | Jul 28, 2010 at 05:17 PM
Love that movie! I watched it last year for the first time. Her short hair is so adorable. I vote you watch funny face next.
Posted by: Hanna | Jul 28, 2010 at 05:23 PM
One of my all time favorites and of course I can watch "Breakfast at Tiffany's" over and over. Gee I'm not sure if she made any bad movies. They are all do wonderful. Makes me want to rent one right now.
Posted by: Laura | Jul 28, 2010 at 06:46 PM
Ooh, you are all just like me! Funny Face and Charade are my next favourites. Love the dancing and the stunning clothes in Funny Face. I have never seen two for the road, but since you all sound like you have my kind of taste in movies, i will watch it next.
Posted by: Lisa | Jul 28, 2010 at 08:57 PM
We just saw this for the first time ever this spring and OH i finally get the whole Audrey Hepburn thing. really get it. she's so, so, so lovely.....
and I've always loved My Fair Lady. you'll get the craziest little snippets stuck in your head from that one.
Posted by: gwen | Jul 28, 2010 at 09:52 PM
Great film! I absolutely adore Audrey in Love in the Afternoon. Dreamy.
I love the start of Sabrina. Especially when she is at Paris. There is a scene at a culinary school that is simply too cute.
The wardrobe for this movie is off the charts. Never was there a greater pairing than Audrey Hepburn and Givenchy (fashion designer).
Both very good movies. I hope you check them out.
Posted by: rxanna | Jul 29, 2010 at 01:22 AM
Funny Face MUST be your next. "Think Pink!" is hilarious and she is charming in a wedding gown (that you might covet!). Congrats on discovering Roman Holiday - a favorite of mine for many years and possibly the inspiration for me and my BFF on our next milestone b-day trip!
Posted by: Eliza B | Jul 29, 2010 at 08:23 AM
I love that one too! Just so darn witty, y'know? I really love Sabrina (although I wish I could put her with Harrison Ford from the remake - I know, blasphemy!) and My Fair Lady for sure.
Posted by: Trude | Jul 29, 2010 at 09:05 AM
They have neither Audrey Hepburn nor Gregory Peck, but you should watch "It Happened One Night", starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable, and "My Man Godfrey", starring Carole Lombard and William Powell. They put all other romantic comedies to shame.
Posted by: Go Amie | Jul 29, 2010 at 12:59 PM
This is one of my favorite movies. i love how girlish and innocent her character is to the world. i love when she gets her hair cut and when she tries driving his vespa. i love it all!!
thank you for reminding me about this movie, i must watch it again soon.
Posted by: chrystie | Jul 29, 2010 at 01:42 PM
This is a *great* movie. I watched an interview about it once where Gregory Peck said that Audrey blew him away during the filming. He was so sure she'd be an instant star that he called up the studio and told them to give her "top billing" by putting her name right under his above the title of the movie. It made me think that Mr. Peck must have been a good guy as well as a super-cute actor.
Posted by: Kendra | Jul 29, 2010 at 04:15 PM
Although all the movies mentioned are great - see The Nun Story. I think it was her best performance in a film.
Posted by: Pam | Jul 30, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Funny Face! You must watch Funny Face-- the clothes are divine :)
Posted by: Jess | Jul 30, 2010 at 02:31 PM
Sabrina! Then, Funny Face! AHH!!! LOVED THIS POST!
Posted by: Jeryl | Jul 31, 2010 at 04:25 PM
This is a wonderful movie and one of my favorite Audrey films! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Sabrina, Funny Face, and Two for the Road are all excellent choices for your next Audrey movie!
Posted by: Melissa B | Jul 31, 2010 at 08:59 PM
YOU SHOULD WATCH SABRINA... ITS SO ROMANTIC, FULL OF SPECIAL MOMENTS! GREAT MOVIE!
Posted by: PAULA | Aug 03, 2010 at 05:52 AM
You just have to see Funny Face. I think you will enjoy it. One of the characters is a fashion magazine editor, and there's a scene that I like watching on YouTube where she "sings" the song "Think Pink." Very entertaining sequence :-)
Love your blog. Also, my best wishes to your coming wedding!
Posted by: Sunnyday | Aug 08, 2010 at 05:36 PM